Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - Community Healthcare System - 49

49

GOOD
HEALTH

Is Good Business
Occupational Health program helps
companies prevent injuries on the job
BY ELISE SIMS
Today, Americans are
working longer, contributing to a rise in
the median age of the workforce.
Workers also are more sedentary
than previous generations. As a
result, work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) currently make
up the largest job-related injury
category (30 percent of all injuries),
according to the Occupational
Health and Safety Administration.
Employers are paying approximately
$20 billion in workers' compensation costs for MSDs annually.
To address this issue,
Community Healthcare System's
Occupational Health program has
developed an injury intervention
program. Occupational Health, at
five Northwest Indiana locations,
provides a variety of clinical support
for rapid evaluation and treatment
of injuries and illnesses, as well
as on-site testing and preventive programs.
"We are committed to partnering
with our clients to provide excellent and compassionate services
and cost-effective solutions," says
Raza Akbar, MD, medical director of Occupational Health for
Community Healthcare System.
"Our goal is to create a healthier
workforce, prevent work-related

The essential
demand
screening
indicates
strengths and
weaknesses
that can be
addressed
during job
placement and
training a
new hire."

injuries and illnesses, decrease lost
worktime, increase productivity
and reduce workers' compensation costs."
As part of the injury prevention
program, Occupational Health
developed an essential demand
screening for employers that is
used in combination with a jobsite analysis. The analysis identifies
all physical demands required to
perform each task on the job. The

analysis determines the appropriate
height and weight of a prospective
employee and the frequency and
duration of physical stresses, such
as sustained squatting or material handling.
"Essential demand screenings
are held for prospective employees
before the company makes a job
offer. Screenings are used more and
more to help make the company's
onboarding process successful," says
certified ergonomic consultant Amy
Kolb, physical therapist assistant.
"The essential demand screening
indicates strengths and weaknesses
that can be addressed during job
placement and training a new hire.
The screening helps the employer
pair the right person physically with
the right physical job. A successful
screening also provides the prospective employee with initial education
on proper body mechanics and safe
lifting techniques."
Companies benefit from essential
demand screenings with improved
job retention, decreased lost time
due to injuries and improved
employee satisfaction. When an
employee is properly matched to a
job, the result is good for the worker
and for business, Kolb says. *

Amy Kolb,
PTA

Certified ergonomic
consultant Amy Kolb
instructs Krystal Lockhart
on the correct way to
push a wooden pallet
as part of an essential
demand screening at
the Occupational Health
office in Valparaiso. The
screening helps the
employer pair the right
person with the right
physical job.

A Healthier Workplace

For more information on Community Healthcare System's
Occupational Health programs, visit COMHS.org/occ_health.

VIM & VIGOR SPRING 2020
http://www.COMHS.org/occ_health
Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - Community Healthcare System

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - Community Healthcare System
